Recap

Redcar Athletic moved four points clear at the top of the Northern League with a sensational eight-goal demolition of Carlisle City.

Oscar Fletcher set the rout in motion with a superb header, Adam Boyes teeing up both Mark Anderson and Bradley Fewster before the break.

The forward netted two of his own when play resumed, his former Marske United teammates Curtis Round and Craig Gott rounding out the scoring.

In the absence of Carl Jarrett, Dave McTiernan took charge of team selection, restoring Danni Lay and Adam Boyes to the side in place of Callum Guy and Curtis Round.

From the off, there was something dangerous about Redcar Athletic.

Mark Anderson was unlucky not to open the scoring with barely a minute on the clock, his effort smothered by Scott Simons in the Sky Blues’ goal.

Oscar Fletcher struck the woodwork after a good turn, whilst only a goalline clearance denied Adam Boyes from a long ball.

It was a Craig Gott delivery from the corner spot which broke the short deadlock, Oscar Fletcher rising highest in the centre to thump the ball past Scott Simons.

Adam Boyes turned provider to see the Steelmen up by two, laying the ball into the path of Mark Anderson for a repeat of the first half against Guisborough Town…

Almost. A carbon copy of the play gave Bradley Fewster his second in as many games. The forward curled home from the edge of the box to make it a treble by the halfway mark.

Some would have predicted Redcar to lay off their Cumbrian counterparts come the restart, but that most certainly wasn’t to be.

‘Bosh’ finally got himself on the scoresheet as Bradley Fewster struck the woodwork. More incisive play from Bryan Taylor carved out the chance, and Adam Boyes applied the simple finish.

Curtis Round entered play from the bench to benefit from his strike partner’s electric form. Boyes laid the ball into his path with the goal gaping, and a first touch finish from the substitute took the tally to five.

With the rhythm of the game somewhat impacted by wholesale changes, Craig Gott stepped out from defence to reignite the spark.

The centre-back let fly from deep in the midfield, his effort dipping beyond Scott Simons and into the far stanchion.

A simple ‘Goal of the Month’ vote wasn’t to be. Barely five minutes passed before it was Curtis Round’s turn to be ambitious, picking out the other top corner from arguably further away.

Carlisle were yet to see a reprieve, as a miscommunication from kick-off offered too much space and time to Adam Boyes, and the forward rolled home his second of the afternoon.

A ninth goal did tease the Steelmen in stoppage time, as Bryan Taylor found Jake Stott lurking at the back post to no avail, whilst Callum Guy glanced a loose ball into the advertising hoardings from close range.

Steelmen: Mazfari, Guru (Cann 66’), Bryan Taylor, Liddle, Lay, Gott, Anderson (Stott 72’), Griffiths, Boyes, Fletcher (Guy 58’), Fewster (Round 62’)

Goal Scorers: Oscar Fletcher (22’), Mark Anderson (34’), Bradley Fewster (40’), Adam Boyes (48’, 86’), Curtis Round (64’, 85’), Craig Gott (81’)

Next Match: Marske United (h) | Tuesday 4 February 2025